Effect of Ca/P ratio, P level and use of phytase on ileal and fecal P digestibility in growing pigs

Eight female pigs (25-65 kg) provided with a simple T cannula about 10 cm anterior to the ileocaecal valve, were used to study the ileal, post-ileal and fecal digestibility. In experiment 1, 2 Ca/P ratios (1.5/1 and 2.2/1) and 2 dietary P levels (0.34 and 0.47%) were tested according to a 2x2-factorial arrangement within a Latin square design. In experiment 2, the diets of experiment 1 were supplemented with phytase (500 FTU/kg). Supplementation with phytase resulted in an improvement of the fecal P digestibility of 10.3% (P<0.001). Addition of feed phosphate resulted in 10.3% (P